The entire Palestinian peace delegation tendered their resignation to Abbas earlier this month in protest against continued construction in West Bank settlements and east Jerusalem neighborhoods.

While Abbas rejected chief negotiator Saeb Erekat's resignation, a Palestinian official told Ma'an the rest of the delegation will be replaced.

Despite the resignation, the PLO announced that the peace talks with Israel would continue until the end of the nine-month period set by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

"We have committed to continue the negotiations for nine months, regardless of what happens on the ground. We are committed and we will go to the full nine months, and then we will take the appropriate decision," Abbas told AFP.